Chicago Naperville Wedding Photographer…Bridal Wedding Planning List

Well it’s official! For years you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day. Pinning ideas on your Pinterest boards, tearing pictures out of magazines. Ideas and desires have piled up over the years and now it’s time to make sense of it all. The love of your life has asked for your hand in marriage and now you are on cloud nine. Now it’s time for what you thought was going to be the fun part. Planning your big day. Where do you even begin?! The panic sets in. Let us help you. Here is a checklist that should help you get started. Remember to breathe!

9 months – 12 months in advance

What style wedding have you dreamed of? (ie. city/elegant, country/chic, outdoor or indoor, large, intimate ) Your pinterest boards and magazine pull outs should help you discover your style.
Surround yourself with supportive and helpful friends and family.
Determine what your budget is based on you families’ contributions and your own.
Once you have determined the size of your wedding, you’ll need to select your wedding party. You know that everyone is dying to know who you’re going to include.
Start to compile a guest list. Keep in mind the of style wedding that you are planning and your budget. If it’s going to be an intimate wedding, you’ll have to cull that list to a manageable number.
If it’s in your budget to hire a wedding planner, then this would be the time to start searching for a planner that will help you bring your wedding dreams to fruition. Make sure to look at their portfolio to be sure that you share the same vision.
Now is the time to reserve the date for your ceremony and reception venues. Will you have separate venues or will your ceremony and reception be held at the same location? If you will be having your wedding ceremony and reception in separate locations, remember to allow for travel time and photography between each location.
Book your officiant.
Research florists, caterers and entertainment.
Interview Photographers. Be sure to budget wisely. Remembering that your photographer is documenting and capturing all of the details and moments that you have worked so hard to plan. Splurging on a talented, experienced and creative photographer will insure that you have beautiful memories documented for eternity. Remember that when all is said and done, your wedding photographs and video are all that you have left when your wedding day is done. Allocating a portion of your budget towards a talented and experienced photographer that will be capable of capturing the day as you dreamed, will never be something that you’ll regret.
Throw an engagement party.

8 months in advance

It’s time to purchase your dress. You need to make sure that there it plenty of time for 2 to 3 fittings.
Book your entertainment. This may be music for your ceremony or the live music or DJ for your reception. Be sure to attend an event that features the musicians that you will be considering. This is the best way to ensure that your entertainment will fit your wedding style.
Book your photographer and videographer. Photographers book a year in advance so you want to make sure that the photographer is available on your wedding day.
Schedule your engagement shoot with your photographer.
Book and meet with caterer.
Book Florist.
Reserve a block of hotel rooms for your out of town guests.
Register. Be sure to sign a registry at 2-3 retailers.
Launch a wedding website.

6-7 months in advance

Purchase your wedding invitations. Be sure to set the RSVP cutoff date for three weeks before the big day.
Plan for your honeymoon. You’ll need to make sure that you have your passports and vaccinations up to date.
Shop for your bridesmaids’ dresses. You’ll need 6 months to allow for the dresses to be ordered and sized.
Meet with your officiant to plan your ceremony. You’ll also need to be sure that you have all of your official documents in order to obtain your wedding license.
Have your engagement shoot and create your save-the-date cards.
Book your ceremony and reception rentals such as electrical, structures, chairs, tables, portable toilets etc. Especially if your wedding will be on your own private property.
Meet with your florist to discuss your vision.
Book transportation. If you will be needing a limo or special transportation such as vintage cars, carriages, etc to transport you and your wedding party to the reception.
Create a timeline of your day.
Send out save-the-dates.

4-5 months in advance

Book your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner venues. If you are planning on hosting a brunch for the day after your ceremony you will need to schedule that as well.
Select and order your cake. Schedule a tasting before making a decision on your baker. This will insure that you love the taste of your cake not to mention how fun it is to do tastings of yummy desserts.
The host of your shower should start planning the event.
It’s time to start dress fittings and purchasing your wedding shoes and accessories.
Schedule your hair and makeup artists. If your MUA and hair stylist offer trial runs, I highly suggest that you have one. It’s best that you feel comfortable with your makeup before your big day.
Select your music for your ceremony and reception.

3 months in advance

Finalize the menu with your caterer.
Finalize the floral designs with your florist.
Order your party favors if you plan on having any. Personalized or monogrammed cookies, table numbers, gifts etc. Are a great way to personalize your wedding and say thank you to guests.
Determine who will be giving toasts at your reception and officially ask them.
Determine who will be doing readings at your ceremony and select the poems/verses that will be read.
Purchase your wedding day undergarments.
Print your programs, menus, table numbers.
Purchase your wedding rings.
Give you vendors your event schedule.

2 months in advance

Meet with photographer and discuss specific shots that you desire. Creating a list for your photographer of the shots that are important to you will help insure that you both are on the same page.
Touch base with your vendors to make sure that they have everything that they need from you.
Review your DJ or bands playlist.
Select the Groom and groomsmens attire.
Send out your Wedding Invitations. Be sure to do this 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding.
Bachelor and bachelorette party’s should be planned

1 month in advance

Make sure that you have received all of your RSVP’s. Make calls to those who haven’t responded yet.
Get your marriage license.
Mail rehearsal dinner invitations.
Schedule final dress fitting.
Stock bar if you are supplying the alcohol.
Pay final payments to those that require them.
Plan the table seating for the reception.
Purchase bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts.
Write your vows.

2 weeks in advance

Get your hair cut and colored.
Delegate small wedding day duties to friends or family members. You’ll need somebody to pay your vendors tips. Also somebody to help with directing vendors to their correct locations.

1 week in advance

Confirm arrival times/locations for your photographer and vendors.
Pick up your wedding dress
Confirm that your bridesmaids have picked up their dresses and accessories.
Check in one last time with your photographer.
Send a timeline to your bridal party.
Write checks for vendors.
Schedule manicures and pedicures.
Pack for your honeymoon.

The day of your wedding

Enjoy!!!

I know that I’m a bit partial to the photography end of things but trust me when I say that you will not be sorry if you set aside enough in your budget for a talented, experienced and creative wedding photographer. As mentioned above, this is all that you have left when all is said and done. Your wedding photographs will always be that reminder of all of the details and beautiful moments that occurred during your special day. Sometimes your wedding photographs will even reveal great things that happened during your day without your knowledge. Let’s face it, it’s such a whorl wind of a day that you can’t possibly see everything that is happening. That’s why you hire a skilled photographer. We will be able to capture and produce beautiful moments throughout your entire wedding. Moments that will be captured for all time.